Pune: Deccan College Hosts Fourth Annual Dr. M. A. Mehendale Endowment Seminar

Yerwada, 14th February 2024: Deccan College, renowned for its contributions to Oriental studies, recently organized the fourth edition of the Dr. M. A. Mehendale Endowment Seminar. Named in honor of the esteemed Prof. Dr. M. A. Mehendale, the seminar serves as a platform for scholars to delve into Sanskrit studies, linguistics, and archaeology – areas that were central to Dr. Mehendale’s scholarly pursuits.

Prof. Dr. M. A. Mehendale, a distinguished professor in the Sanskrit department at Deccan College, made significant contributions to the institute’s prestigious Sanskrit Dictionary project as an editor. Among his noteworthy editorial endeavors was the critical edition of the Mahabharata published by BORI, solidifying his legacy in the field.

Following Dr. Mehendale’s passing, his family established an endowment fund to sponsor an annual national seminar in his memory. Deccan College has been entrusted with the responsibility of organizing the seminar on Dr. Mehendale’s birth anniversary, celebrated annually on February 14.

The seminar attracts young and emerging scholars from across the nation, who present research papers aligned with Dr. Mehendale’s areas of interest. The event not only encourages competition for excellence among young scholars but also provides a platform for veteran scholars to pay tribute to Dr. Mehendale through their contributions.

This year, abstracts were submitted from scholars nationwide, with eleven selected for presentation. Nine of these papers competed for prizes, with the top three being awarded Rs. 8000, Rs. 7000, and Rs. 5000, respectively. The esteemed judging panel, consisting of Dr. Madhavi Kolhatkar and Dr. Poorna Chandra Sahoo, praised the participants for their well-chosen topics and provided guidance on writing relevant research papers.

Dr. Shridhar Lohokare, Sanghamitra Thakur, and Raj Adhikary secured the first, second, and third prizes, respectively, for their outstanding presentations. The event was graced by Prof. Prasad Joshi, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Deccan College, and Prof. Sonal Kulkarni, Head of the Department of Linguistics. Teachers and students from various departments of Deccan College attended the event, emphasizing the institute’s commitment to fostering academic excellence.

Prof. Joshi delivered the welcome address, expressing the significance of the seminar in honoring Dr. Mehendale’s legacy. Prof. Kulkarni proposed a vote of thanks, acknowledging the participants, judges, and the Mehendale family for their continuous support. The seminar was impeccably coordinated by Dr. Richa Abhyankar, ensuring its smooth and successful execution.

As the fourth edition of the Dr. M. A. Mehendale Endowment Seminar concluded, it reaffirmed Deccan College’s commitment to scholarly pursuits and the legacy of one of its distinguished academic luminaries.